UK should seek to rejoin EU to protect prosperity, security: Think tank

The UK should make rejoining the EU a medium-term goal to protect its prosperity, national security and democratic institutions, a British think tank said Monday.

In a new report, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) argued that "Russia's aggression, uncertainty over US policy and China's growing use of economic pressure" have undermined Britain's post-Brexit strategy.

The think tank said the UK lacked the economic and strategic scale to address these challenges alone, calling for a broader reset of relations with the EU beyond individual trade and regulatory agreements.

"The world Britain built its post-Brexit strategy for no longer exists," IPPR Executive Director Harry Quilter-Pinner said in a statement.

"We are entering an age in which economic strength, security and political influence increasingly depend on scale, and Britain cannot manufacture that scale on its own," he added.

Polling commissioned by IPPR and Persuasion UK found that 52% of voters supported joining the EU, compared with 29% who preferred remaining outside.

Among respondents expressing a preference, 64% supported membership, while 36% opposed it.

A separate experiment presenting voters with different combinations of potential benefits, costs and arguments found average support for EU membership at 52%.

The research also found that maintaining the UK's current relationship with the EU was the least popular option presented to respondents.

- 'We can't take back control while being an outsider in Europe'

The report argued that the EU had evolved since Britain's departure, taking on a greater security, industrial and economic role through increased defense spending, industrial policies and efforts to protect strategic supply chains.

IPPR urged the government to develop a new European strategy, including cooperation on industrial policy and public procurement, alongside the creation of a European Defense Alliance.

Under the proposed alliance, Britain could contribute capabilities in areas where Europe remains heavily dependent on the US, including satellite communications, the report said.

The think tank also recommended building stronger public support before seeking a mandate for EU membership through either a new referendum or a clear election manifesto commitment.

"It's time to stop talking about Brexit and focus entirely on the future," IPPR Associate Director Laura Chappell said.

"Whether it's protecting households from swings in the cost of living, restarting industry, or keeping us secure, we lack the weight to act alone," she said.

"In today's world, we can't take back control while being an outsider in Europe."

Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in September he will “lay out to the country” different options for the UK’s long-term relationship with the EU, arguing that Brexit “has done more harm than good.”

Last week, Burnham also accused Russia of interfering in the 2016 Brexit referendum and warned that Russian “disinformation” was affecting political debates in France and Germany.

The UK left the EU in 2020, four years after a referendum in which about 52% of voters chose to leave.